Fire closes New Bridge Learning Center

JAN. 12, 10 A.M. – An overnight fire at the New Bridge Learning Center in Eastern Henrico forced Henrico County Public Schools officials to close the center today. No one was injured in the fire.

Shortly after 4 a.m., Henrico firefighters responded to reports of a fire at the facility, in the 5900 block of East Nine Mile Road. First-arriving police officers had reported smoke coming from the building.

When fire units arrived shortly thereafter, they confirmed the smoke conditions and immediately went inside to attempt to quickly locate and extinguish the fire.

The fire was located on the second floor and extinguished with a combination of fire department hose lines and the automatic sprinkler system installed in the facility. During the search of the building for potential victims, firefighters also found a water pipe that had burst.

The fire was controlled in about one hour. The Henrico Fire Marshal’s office is conducting an investigation.

The School Board meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. today at the adjacent New Bridge Auditorium will take place as scheduled. School system officials will announce additional updates later today, according to HCPS spokesman Andy Jenks.

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